Given the current media speculation surrounding Mr Jooste and his recent resignation as the CEO of Steinhoff International Holdings NV, the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) has requested clarity and information from Mayfair Speculators, a company dealing with his horseracing interests.
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that the registered name of the bay filly MARTHA’S VINEYARD (sired by EXCEED AND EXCEL (AUS), out of the mare ISLAND BABE (USA), bred by Rabbah Bloodstock Limited foaled on 3 April 2014 and trained by Mike De Kock, has been changed to that of FARAWAY ISLAND (IRE), with immediate effect.
Please be advised that this bay filly is carded to participate in Race 8 on Tuesday 5 December 2017 in the WWW.TABONLINE.CO.ZA FM 84 HANDICAP (F&M) at Turffontein Racecourse (Night).
An independent panel consisting of Messrs V Moodley, J Vermaak and R S Napier convened on 10 November 2017 by teleconference to hear a MR Appeal lodged by Trainer Mike de Kock on behalf of the horse PIETRO MASCAGNI against the Merit Rating of 79 allocated after he competed and won Race 3 at Turffontein Racecourse on 31 October 2017. Trainer de Kock believed that PIETRO MASCAGNI should have been rated closer to a MR of 88.
The Panel was of the opinion that PIETRO MASCAGNI could be much better than rated, but the Handicappers used the option of STAR OF JOBURG as the line horse and by doing so, PIETRO MASCAGNI achieved a MR of 77.
The Handicappers themselves acknowledged PIETRO MASCAGNI’s performance by giving him an extra 2 Merit Rating points for that win and therefore gave him his official MR of 79.
The Panel also took cognisance of the current Guidelines and the industry instructions to “protect” maiden winners and give them the opportunity to go through the divisions and not “over-rate” them. The entire Guidelines have a “protection” mechanism linked to them. Until and unless these Guidelines are re-visited, it will be extremely difficult to adjust horses MR upwards selectively.
The Panel agreed that due to the current Handicapping Guidelines and rating of all other maiden races, the rating given to PIETRO MASCAGNI is appropriate. As a result, the Appeal is over-ruled. The deposit fee will be returned.
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that it has received the Judgment in respect of a review which was lodged by Mr James Goodman, and heard in the High Court in Durban, on 10 February 2017. The review was lodged against the finding and penalty of an Inquiry which was finalised in Durban on 13 November 2015 where, Trainer Mr James Goodman was found guilty of a contravention of Rule 73.2.4 in that he was the Trainer of the horse ALDRIC from which a urine specimen was taken after it had participated in the 2nd race at Greyville Racecourse on 10 October 2014 and that such specimen disclosed upon analysis, the presence of Caffeine, a prohibited substance in terms of the rules of the NHA.
The National Horseracing Authority is proud to confirm that one of its race day employees, Mr Steven Kane, has recently been honoured by his peers at the South African Association of Professional Farriers Interprovincial Competition, held in Johannesburg.
Steven, the NHA licenced Farrier in Port Elizabeth, who is on duty at most Fairview race meetings, represented Eastern Province and finished second in the Plating Class.
At every Farrier Championship, the most sought after recognition is to be the recipient of the Best Shod Foot Award. Steven exhibited his professionalism and expertise in winning this trophy.
The National Horseracing Authority has noted that there have been a number of specimens taken from horses which have tested in excess of the screening limit for caffeine. Accordingly, the NHA is obligated to notify the relevant Trainers of this occurrence and afford them options as envisaged in terms of the Rules.
The NHA has undertaken an investigation in order to identify whether any commonality exists between the specimens of the affected horses being above the screening limit for caffeine. In this regard, the NHA has requested that the affected Trainers provide the NHA with information, which would allow for a more complete view of the circumstances surrounding these results, prior to any potential inquiry proceedings.
The National Horseracing Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Rakesh Jeewanlall as the Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Rakesh has been licenced as a Stipendiary Steward since 2007 and has been based in Durban over this period.
The NHA wishes Rakesh every success in his new position, which is effective from 01 September 2017.